Re: 8/22/10 Majestic Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA
Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:56 am
Glad you got to actually see the concert tonight. Would have sucked if the car you were traveling in today ALSO broke down. 
We left around 1:30 from Santa Monica and decided to take the scenic route up the Pacific Coast Highway. We hit a ton of traffic on the way to Malibu but the views for the rest of the ride made it worth it. We got to Ventura a little before 4pm and easily found street parking around the corner. On our way there we saw Jim and Rubén taking a picture of the venue from across the street. Once we parked I headed to the box office to see what the deal was and then ran into Vikki, Nancy, Helen, Carlotta, and Louise. Shortly after, while exploring Ventura we also ran into Tony and Marissa. A very cute town to check out with a shocking number of thrift stores on the main street. Anjuli and I got some food at a sports bar called Rookees, then got into line.
We got in line around 6 between the busses and the venue. No idea why both busses and an equipment truck had to park right out front with their engines running, but it made for a nauseating smell in that line. So yeah that lasted for about an hour in which I called a Salt Lake City pay phone and waved at Tony Goldmark. A kid in front of me in line was there with his mom. He looked about 10 or 11 and was nerding out to his mom about Weird Al minutia. He reminded me of a young me. I hope one day he finds this forum. While in line, I saw Steve and Suzanne walk in and out of the tour bus. At one point Bermuda came by and said hi to Tony and Marissa. I was there but I don't think Jon knows me. He said something about finding out what was for dinner and went off.
They let us in pretty much right at 7, and we got our seats in the VIP section. I was told the rest of the venue was standing room only but in fact there were seats everywhere so the VIP section was basically just the first few rows. We took fourth or fifth row back but I picked the seats so Anjuli would have an aisle. Took a 50/50 chance on which side I thought he would come down. We were on Steve's side. Regular show-goers: did I blow it with that? Does he always come down Jim's side? The pre-show music was the CD with all car commercial songs. Really good mix, so well done Jon. When Fun Zone finally came on the crowd cheered but not as many people were getting into it until the heys kicked in.
Polka Face is geting better and better for me. So many intricate parts to pick out that are inaudible on YouTube versions. Can't wait to hear what the recording sounds like, but it was fun to hear this song live twice before ever hearing it on a disc. Based on looking at her reactions, I thought Anjuli enjoyed this one the most, maybe because it was so new and I'm not always playing it. Baby still gets the biggest laughs and deservedly so.
Frank's 2000" TV was next, and I was excited because while I love You Make Me, I've never seen Frank's live so this was great because it meant I got to see all four songs he's doing this summer in the rotating slots. It really is a great performance. Shame they can't play the mandolins live though. Is that coming from a pre-recorded track because it looked like Rubén was playing something else.
You Don't Love Me Anymore. I was surprised to see Rubén on stage with Jim and Al for this because no one had mentioned that he played keys during this song. For some reason I thought I read that only Jim and Al were on stage. I assume it's included Rubén all tour? Anyway another one of my favorite Weird Al songs I can now say I've seen live.
Smells Like Nirvana was great. Still loving Steve's Krist impression. The bass was basically an inch off the ground. This is really the one song of Al's where I can't believe he can go up there and play it every single night, and yet it's basically one of the core songs that can never leave the setlist.
Skipper Dan was great, but if Al cuts one of the three Internet Leaks from next year's setlist, this should be the one. You're Pitiful had a cool shirt of wolves howling at the moon. I have a similar shirt to that, actually. When DTBS started, Anjuli decided to run to the bathroom. I think she saw the beginning and end. I love the song but I've now seen it four times so I wouldn't mind if it was retired next year.
I really like the CNR/Hog/Idiot segment of the show. CNR was really good. Anjuli mentioned later that they did a really good White Stripes impression but thoughtfully suggested Al should have a Jack White wig for this song rather than his real hair. I actually agree, but I think the costume should be overhauled. I am guessing CNR and Canadian Idiot will both be in the set next year so they should keep working with the red, black, and white and see if they can design a better costume for this segment. Last time I mentioned that Al could work on his Billie Joe impression, but this time WOW he really blew it out of the water. Maybe I am just imagining things, but I really liked the energy of the song tonight. This may have had to do with Jim Kimo West absolutely channeling Mike Dirnt as a backing vocalist. Al also really gave a lot in this performance as well. I'd be disappointed if CI is put into the medley next year as it seems like from 2006 until now the songs is still getting better. At the end, when the confetti burst out Anjuli seemed awestruck and asked me if they did that last week in Costa Mesa, haha.
I was really looking forward to Wanna Be Ur Lovr if Al came by Anjuli but he went down Jim's side. I asked above but does he always go down the left side of the theater or does it vary? Soon after we sat down, I noticed Suzanne come in and sit down two rows behind me, the front row of non VIP. She was with a lot of family and I later found out it was her first time seeing this tour from the audience. I was wondering if Al would play off of this and sing to her since she was only a few seats in but he didn't go for it. He did however give Helen a very generous KABLAAAM, and then at the very end of the song where Al sings in a high pitched voice he first pointed to Vikki from the stage, then sang a couple lines to her, then absolutely got right in her face, reaching out off the front of the stage pointing directly at her. I couldn't see Vikki's face at all but I'm sure it would have been amazing. She later told me she is a happy Al Gal.
The Medley: Al really had trouble getting the Gilligan shirt off. You could see him struggling with it in the dark from the front and he first couldn't get it off his head, then it got stuck in his hair. He ran to the mic just in time to sing Confessions and still had it in his hand for the first line or two. Songs Al should cut for the next medley: Skipper, Superhero, Drive-Thru, and at least the second verse of eBay if not the entire thing. Seems like he's kind of stuck with Bedrock and Gump in there for a while, right? I hope he does I Love Rocky Road or My Bologna instead of Bus next year.
Craigslist and Amish Paradise were very similar performances to OC Fair, but I love both songs and think they go well next to each other. White & Nerdy was really strong tonight. Al was really riding all over the stage on the Segway. Jim and Steve are getting better and better at being Al's hype men. I mean, the Jay Leno performance to what they are doing now, there's really no comparison. I LOVED the Jim, Al, and Steve dancing around during Fat. I know this is classic routine which has basically been the same for 20 years now, but it is really funny and still works. I have to say I'm not as down on this one as I was before this tour. I guess it would be a pretty big shame to see it go. Al introduced Jim as Jim Kimo West again. I am guessing he's been doing that consistently since Costa Mesa? I really liked the Fat jam tonight. Not sure how improvised that is, night after night, but it was fun to watch them all try to time out the endings. I have to say the most impressive band member to watch tonight was Jim Kimo West.
Zero Stormtroopers on stage tonight. How many times has that happened this tour? I was secretly praying Nina would return in a Jawa costume but when I saw there were no other characters I realized there was no chance. The Saga Begins also grew on me tonight because I realized it's just a perfect singalong for the crowd and really is a great way to end the show. Yoda was the best of all the concert staples tonight. Al played back to back with both Jim and Steve, everybody was really rocking out including the audience, and the Yoda Chant was great. I loved seeing the expression on Anjuli's face when I was clearly singing along to certain parts of it. She even mentioned later how crazy that part was, and when I explained to her what it was and how it has evolved she was just as confounded that I would be able to sing along.
Really was a great show and it was great to contrast a big venue like the Pacific Amphitheater at the OC Fair to a tiny theater in Ventura. My guess is it's about the same size as the Keswick Theater, maybe even a bit smaller. He was able to master the house in both venues which is really impressive for any artist.
After the show I met up with the other WOWAY members, all of whom seemed to be in a pretty good mood (especially Vikki!) And then out of nowhere I was approached by Flat Stanley NH!! Really glad to have finally gotten to meet that guy! Hey Stanley, you should post that picture we took together!
I did have aftershow passes this time and as I was waiting in line, Rubén came to say hi briefly. He knew a guy behind me in line who seemed to be affiliated with some keyboard or keyboard software company. We saw Jim, Steve, and Jon walk right through the venue as it was clearing out. Anyone could have easily stayed behind and met all of them, and many people did do just that. Ironically, the people with after-show passes did NOT get to meet the band members because we had to wait in line while the band members walked by and met up with everyone else!
They had Al right around a corner from the main auditorium. There were several security guards and you couldn't tell he was there unless you were the next one in line. I was expecting something like the OC Fair where it was a whole backstage area where people were mingling but this was basically a very, very private meet and greet and I was not expecting that at all, which threw me off when I got to meet Al. Right before I went in, Suzanne asked to cut in line to say goodnight. I, of course, let her in. She is a real sweetheart and we talked a little about Nina appearing on stage last night at the AV Fair. Apparently they asked Nina how she liked it and she said it was awesome and was begging to do it again tonight! Al was posing for a picture with a girl in a pretty expansive wheelchair (there was a full-time nurse with her if that gives you any idea). Then he said goodbye to Suzanne and finally hid behind the wall so he could meet the next couple, which was me and Anjuli.
The meet n greet itself was awkward, but not in any way Al's fault. The set-up was just me, Anjuli, Al, and a security guard standing in a dimly lit hallway with bad acoustics. It felt a little like a prison visit because I knew I was being scrutinized (by a security guard AND my girlfriend!) Everyone else in line was waiting so I wanted to keep it brief. I told Al that the first time we met was the White & Nerdy video and now I assume the next time I see him he will have written the new hit, so I want to wish him luck. He was like wow that video was the first time we met? Then he started joking about oh no I have to write a new hit, it's going to be so hard! I introduced him to Anjuli and told him it was her first show. She told him she had a great time. I mentioned that he really improved his Billie Joe Armstrong impression since the OC Fair and he was like I have no idea what I did differently but thanks! I may have said a few other things, I don't really remember due to the odd situation we were in, but we did take a picture:
I have no idea what kind of facial expression I was making. I was really thrown off by the privacy of this meet I had no idea what I was doing.
Overall a very memorable night. Glad I went to two shows this year, but I am afraid going to two shows in one year is the gateway drug to becoming a real tourchaser...
